Shyness and Psychological Well-Being as Predictors of Problematic Internet Use Among Students in Pakistan / La timidez y el bienestar psicológico como predictores del uso problemático de Internet entre estudiantes en Pakistán / Timidez e bem-estar psicológico como preditores do uso problemático da Internet entre estudantes no Paquistão

Abstract: This research was aimed to study the relationship between the variables of shyness and psychological well-being as the predictors of problematic internet use (PIU). The study was carried out on a sample of 400 students. The sample included 191 men (47.8%) and 209 women (52.2%) from University of Sargodha. The age range of participants in the sample was 18 to 24 years (M= 21,S.D= 4.24). The three variables of the study including shyness, psychological well-being, and problematic internet use were assessed with the shyness questionnaire, flourishing scale, and internet addiction test scale (IAT), respectively. To determine the psychometric soundness of instruments, descriptive and internal consistency levels of all the study variables were measured. The main statistical analyses included correlation, t-test, and regression analysis. The correlational analysis of overall results revealed the significant positive correlation of shyness and a significant negative correlation of psychological well-being with problematic internet use. The t-test revealed that problematic internet use and psychological well-being were significantly different according to gender. Furthermore, the results of linear regression analysis divulged that shyness positively predicts problematic internet use, while psychological well-being negatively predicts problematic internet use. Also, regression analysis on the gender indicated that being male was a predictor of greater PIU. Implications of the study along with its limitations were discussed and recommendations for further research were highly suggested.

Resumen: Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo estudiar la relación entre las variables de timidez y bienestar psicológico como predictores del uso problemático de Internet. El estudio se realizó en una muestra de 400 estudiantes. La muestra incluyó 191 hombres (47,8%) y 209 mujeres (52,2%) de la Universidad de Sargodha. El rango de edad de los participantes de la muestra fue de 18 a 24 años (M = 21, SD = 4,24). Las tres variables del estudio, incluida la timidez, el bienestar psicológico y el uso problemático de Internet, se evaluaron con el cuestionario de timidez, la escala de florecimiento y la escala de prueba de adicción a Internet (IAT), respectivamente. Para determinar la solidez psicométrica de los instrumentos se midieron los niveles de consistencia descriptiva e interna de todas las variables de estudio. Los principales análisis estadísticos incluyeron correlación, prueba t y análisis de regresión. El análisis correlacional de los resultados generales reveló la correlación positiva significativa de la timidez y una correlación negativa significativa del bienestar psicológico con el uso problemático de Internet. La prueba t reveló que el uso problemático de Internet y el bienestar psicológico eran significativamente diferentes según el género. Además, los resultados del análisis de regresión lineal divulgaron que la timidez predice positivamente el uso problemático de Internet, mientras que el bienestar psicológico predice negativamente el uso problemático de Internet. Además, el análisis de regresión sobre el género indicó que ser hombre era un predictor de mayor uso problemático de internet. Se discutieron las implicaciones del estudio junto con sus limitaciones y se sugirieron encarecidamente recomendaciones para futuras investigaciones.

Resumo: Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo estudar a relação entre as variáveis timidez e bem-estar psicológico como preditores do uso problemático da internet. O estudo foi realizado em uma amostra de400) alunos. A amostra incluiu 191 homens (47,8%) e 209 mulheres (52,2%)da Universidade de Sargodha. A faixa etária dos participantes da amostra foi de 18 a 24 anos (M = 21, S.D = 4,24). As três variáveis do estudo, incluindo timidez, bem-estar psicológico e uso problemático da internet, foram avaliadas com o questionário de timidez, escala de florescimento e escala de teste de vício em internet (IAT), respectivamente. Para determinar a solidez psicométrica dos instrumentos, foram medidos os níveis de consistência descritiva e interna de todas as variáveis ​​do estudo. As principais análises estatísticas incluíram correlação, teste t e análise de regressão. A análise correlacional dos resultados gerais revelou a correlação positiva significativa da timidez e uma correlação negativa significativa do bem-estar psicológico com o uso problemático da internet. O teste t revelou que o uso problemático da Internet e o bem-estar psicológico foram significativamente diferentes de acordo com o gênero. Além disso, os resultados da análise de regressão linear divulgaram que a timidez prediz positivamente o uso problemático da Internet, enquanto o bem-estar psicológico prediz negativamente o uso problemático da Internet. Além disso, a análise de regressão sobre o sexo indicou que ser do sexo masculino foi um preditor de maioruso problemático da internet. As implicações do estudo juntamente com suas limitações foram discutidas e recomendações para pesquisas futuras foram altamente sugeridas.

Adição à internet ou uso problemático da internet? Qual dos termos usar? / Dépendance à Internet ou utilisation problématique d'Internet? Quel terme utiliser? / Adición a Internet o uso problemático de Internet: ¿Qué término usar? / Internet addiction or problematic internet use? Which term should be used?

Resumo O uso da internet tem aumentado exponencialmente a nível mundial. Ainda que ele não seja por si só negativo, já que integra benefícios vários, alguns indivíduos parecem exibir problemas relacionados com o seu uso excessivo, descontrolado e disfuncional. Consequentemente, tem sido crescente, particularmente nas últimas duas décadas, o interesse dos investigadores em explorar este uso, quando excessivo e pouco saudável. Porém, e sendo um tema/constructo tratado por diferentes autores com quadros teóricos também diferentes, são vários os termos usados na literatura para descrever este fenómeno. Neste sentido, este artigo propõe-se a apresentar o trabalho uma revisão de literatura de dois dos conceitos mais usados e espartilhados na literatura científica, ou seja, adição à internet e uso problemático da internet.

Résumé L'utilisation d' Internet a augmenté de manière exponentielle dans le monde. Bien que l'utilisation d' Internet ne soit pas négative en soi, étant donné qu'elle intègre plusieurs avantages, certaines personnes semblent présenter des problèmes liés à son utilisation excessive, incontrôlée et dysfonctionnelle. En conséquence, l'intérêt des chercheurs pour exploiter cet usage, qu'il soit excessif ou malsain, a augmenté, particulièrement au cours des deux dernières décennies. Cependant, étant un thème/construit traité par différents auteurs avec différents cadres théoriques, plusieurs termes sont utilisés dans la littérature pour décrire ce phénomène. En ce sens, nous proposons de présenter dans cet ouvrage une analyse de deux des concepts les plus utilisés et les plus partagés dans la littérature scientifique, à savoir l'addition à internet et son utilisation problématique.

Resumen El uso de Internet ha aumentado exponencialmente a nivel mundial. Aunque esto no es por sí solo negativo ya que integra diversos beneficios, algunos individuos parecen presentar problemas relacionados con su uso excesivo, descontrolado y disfuncional. En consecuencia, en las últimas dos décadas ha aumentado cada vez más el interés de los investigadores en estudiar este uso, cuando es excesivo o poco saludable. Sin embargo, y siendo un tema/constructo tratado por diferentes autores con cuadros teóricos también diferentes, son varios los términos usados en la literatura para describir este fenómeno. En este sentido, nos proponemos presentar en este trabajo una revisión de dos de los conceptos más usados y más divididos en la literatura científica, es decir, adición a Internet y uso problemático de Internet.

Abstract Internet use has increased exponentially worldwide. Although the use itself is not negative, since it integrates several benefits, some individuals seem to show problems related to its excessive, uncontrolled, and dysfunctional use. Therefore, the interest of researchers in exploring this use, when it is excessive and unhealthy, has been growing, especially in the last two decades. However, being a subject/construct treated by different authors with different theoretical frameworks, several terms are used in the literature to describe this phenomenon. Regarding this, this article proposes to present a literature review of two of the most used and shared concepts in the scientific literature, that is, internet addiction and problematic internet use.

Transitions in Problematic Internet Use: A One-Year Longitudinal Study of Boys

OBJECTIVE: Longitudinal studies may help elucidate the factors associated with Problematic Internet Use (PIU); however, little prospective research has been conducted on the subject. The aim of the current study was to prospectively examine PIU in children/adolescents and identify the possible risk factors associated with transitions in PIU severity. METHODS: 650 middle-school boys were surveyed at two points one year apart and assessed for PIU using the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth (KS-II) and on other psychological characteristics. RESULTS: We found that 15.3% at baseline and 12.4% at one year met the criteria for at-risk/high-risk PIU (ARHRPIU). Both the persistent-ARHRPIU and emerging-ARHRPIU groups revealed greater depressive, motor impulsive, and smart-phone-addiction tendencies than the remitting-ARHRPIU group or the persistent low-risk group. In addition, we found that individuals exhibiting higher hyperkinetic attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scores were less likely to remit from ARHRPIU, and that individuals exhibiting more ADHD-related cognitive dysfunction and reporting fewer Internet-game-free days were more likely to demonstrate an emergence of ARHRPIU. CONCLUSION: The present findings support previous studies in that specific negative-health features are linked to transitions in ARHRPIU. Furthermore, these findings suggest that intervention is needed and may be best targeted at specific groups of youths.

Uso problemático de internet, cyberbullying y ciber-violencia de pareja en jóvenes universitarios

Resumen Las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación se han desarrollado con rapidez integrándose en la vida cotidiana de los adolescentes y los jóvenes. Por ello, esta investigación con diseño no-experimental y transversal analizó las diferencias por sexo en el uso problemático del internet, el cyberbullying y la ciber-violencia de pareja; así como la posible relación entre las variables mencionadas. La muestra fue conformada por 456 estudiantes, procedentes de dos universidades mexicanas, con edades entre 17 y 30 años (M = 19,86; DT = 2,12). Los resultados mostraron pocas diferencias entre hombres y mujeres; asimismo se presentaron correlaciones bajas positivas entre la mayoría de los indicadores de uso problemático de internet con ciberbullying; el uso problemático de internet y ciber-violencia de pareja; y entre ciberbullying y ciber-violencia de pareja. Se concluyó que las conductas violentas de jóvenes mediante nuevas tecnologías parecen generalizarse a las relaciones entre pares y de pareja. Se discuten los resultados destacando la necesidad de más estudios sobre estos fenómenos cada vez más presentes en jóvenes.

Abstract The Information and Communication Technologies have developed at a fast pace, integrating themselves in the daily life of adolescents and young people. For this reason, this non-experimental cross-sectional study analyzed the gender differences in problematic Internet use, cyberbullying and cyber-violence, as well as the possible relationship between these variables. The sample consisted of 456 students, from two Mexican universities, aged between 17 and 30 years (M = 19,86; DT = 2,12). The results showed few significant differences between men and women; likewise, significant positive correlations were found between most of indicators of problematic Internet use with cyberbullying; between problematic Internet use and cyber dating violence; and between cyberbullying and cyber dating violence. It was concluded that violent behavior of young people through new technologies seems to be generalized to relationships with peers and couples. It was discussed the results highlighting the need for more studies on these phenomena increasingly present in young people.

Problematic internet use among students in South-East Asia: Current state of evidence

Problematic Internet use (PIU) among students has become a significant mental health concern. Our goals were to review the existing studies on problematic Internet from Southeast Asian Region and examine: the prevalence for PIU among students; explore for sociodemographic and clinical correlates; and assess the physical, mental, and psychosocial impact of PIU in this population. All studies conducted among population of the Southeast Asia, involving students (school students to postgraduate students) of any age which explored etiological factors and/or the prevalence or any other factor associated with PIU/Internet addiction were considered eligible for the present review. The electronic databases of PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically searched for the relevant published studies up to and including October 2016. Our search strategy yielded 549 articles, 295 of which were eligible for screening based on their publication in English language in a peer-reviewed journal. Of these, a total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The prevalence of severe PIU/Internet addiction ranged from 0 to 47.4%, whereas the prevalence of Internet overuse/possible Internet addiction ranged from 7.4% to 46.4% among students from Southeast Asia. Physical impairments in the form of insomnia (26.8%), daytime sleepiness (20%), and eye strain (19%) were also reported among problem users. There is a need to conduct further research in this area to explore the protective and risk factors associated with it and also longitudinally assess the trajectories of the outcome.

Development and Validation Study of the Internet Overuse Screening Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: Concerns over behavioral and emotional problems caused by excessive internet usage have been developed. This study intended to develop and a standardize questionnaire that can efficiently identify at-risk internet users through their internet usage habits. METHODS: Participants (n=158) were recruited at six I-will-centers located in Seoul, South Korea. From the initial 36 questionnaire item pool, 28 preliminary items were selected through expert evaluation and panel discussions. The construct validity, internal consistency, and concurrent validity were examined. We also conducted Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analysis to assess diagnostic ability of the Internet Overuse Screening-Questionnaire (IOS-Q). RESULTS: The exploratory factor analysis yielded a five factor structure. Four factors with 17 items remained after items that had unclear factor loading were removed. The Cronbach’s alpha for the IOS-Q total score was 0.91, and test-retest reliability was 0.72. The correlation between Young’s internet addiction scale and K-scale supported concurrent validity. ROC analysis showed that the IOS-Q has superior diagnostic ability with the Area Under the Curve of 0.87. At the cut-off point of 25.5, the sensitivity was 0.93 and specificity was 0.86. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study supports the use of IOS-Q for internet addiction research and for screening high-risk individuals.

The Effects of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on the Improvement of Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents with Problematic Internet Use

OBJECTIVES: The overuse of the Internet among adolescents has increased dramatically in recent years, leading to pathological or problematic Internet use. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is known to be effective for the treatment of problematic Internet use, particularly for adolescents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of group CBT for problematic Internet use in adolescents. METHODS: A total of 17 patients aged 12–17 years who met Young's diagnostic questionnaire criteria of problematic Internet use participated in a school-based eight-session group CBT program. The level of problematic Internet use among participating students was measured using Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAS). Depression and anxiety levels were evaluated using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. Each construct was assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up visit. Statistical significance was based on a p-value of < 0.05. RESULTS: Immediately after the program, the IAS, CDI, and State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores were significantly lower than before the program. At the one-month follow-up assessment, the IAS scores remained low, and the CDI and SAI scores were even lower than immediately after the program. CONCLUSION: Group CBT was effective for adolescents with problematic Internet use, and was also demonstrated to improve depression and anxiety.

Associations of Internet Use with Oral Hygiene Based on National Youth Risk Behavior Survey

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of problematic Internet use with oral health behaviors and oral health status in a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents. METHODS: Data from the 2010 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (73238 Korean adolescents; mean age 15.06±1.75 years; age range, 12–18 years) were used. Problematic Internet use was measured using the Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth-Short Form. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess oral health behaviors and oral health status of adolescents. RESULTS: Problematic Internet users were less likely to brush their teeth frequently [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.56–0.63] and at school after lunch (AOR=0.89; 95% CI=0.83–0.94) as well as more likely to perceive their oral health to be poorer (AOR=1.63, 95% CI=1.54–1.72) and experience oral symptoms (AOR=1.75, 95% CI=1.65–1.86) compared to usual Internet users. CONCLUSION: The study results indicate that problematic Internet use may adversely affect the oral health of Korean adolescents. Thus, oral health screening and Internet-based education are needed for adolescents experiencing problematic Internet use.

The Relationship of Sexual Abuse with Self-Esteem, Depression, and Problematic Internet Use in Korean Adolescents

The association of sexual victimization with self-esteem, depression, and problematic internet use was examined in Korean adolescents. A total of 695 middle and high school students were recruited (413 boys, 282 girls, mean age, 14.06±1.37 years). The participants were administered the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form (ETISR-SF), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT). The associations between sexual abuse and the level of self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and problematic internet use were analyzed. Adolescents who had experienced sexual abuse showed lower self-esteem, more depressive symptoms, and greater problematic internet use compared with adolescents who had not experienced sexual abuse. In the path model, sexual abuse predicted lower self-esteem (β=−0.11; 95% CI=−0.20, −0.04; p=0.009), which predicted higher depressive symptoms (β=−0.34; 95% CI=−0.40, −0.27; p=0.008). Depressive symptoms predicted problematic internet use in a positive way (β=0.23; 95% CI=0.16–0.29; p=0.013). Sexual abuse also predicted problematic internet use directly (β=0.20; 95% CI=0.12–0.27; p=0.012). The results of the present study indicate that sexually abused adolescents had a higher risk of depression and problematic internet use. For sexually abused adolescents, programs aimed at raising self-esteem and preventing internet addiction, as well as mental health screening, are needed.

Relationship between Problematic Internet Use and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Students Following the Sewol Ferry Disaster in South Korea

We investigated the association between problematic internet use (PIU) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children and adolescents in South Korea. A cross-sectional survey was administered to community students who attended primary, secondary, and high schools in the Jindo area 1–2.5 months after the Sewol ferry disaster. Of the 1,744 respondents, 392 students who were exposed to the disaster, witnessing the rescue work directly, were evaluated. PTSD symptoms were measured using the University of California Los Angeles Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI). The severity of impairment caused by excessive internet use was evaluated using Young's Internet Addiction Test. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and State Anxiety Inventory for Children (SAIC) were also used. Logistic regression analysis revealed that PIU was significantly and independently associated with a high level of PTSD symptoms. Our findings suggest that children and adolescents with PIU require intensive follow-up and special care to prevent the development of PTSD symptoms following a disaster.

The difference of adolescent's problematic internet use between boys and girls / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate how internet using (both time and activities)and effortful control would contribute to the sex difference of problematic internet use (PIU).Methods A total of 844 adolescents aged 9-20 years old were selected from Chinese Academy of Sciences twin-sample by simple random sampling,with boys accounting for 45.6％ and girls accounting for 54.4％.The internet using and effortful control were measured using self-report questionnaires in the first time(T1),the problematic internet use were measured after one and half years (T2).The difference and relation of Internet using,effortful control and problematic internet use between boys and girls were measured with Chi-square test,t test and correlation analysis.The moderating effect of sex between internet using and PIU were explored by utilizing regression analysis.The mediation effect of effortful control between sex and PIU were explored with Sobel test.Results The anverage internet time of working day and weekend in boys were 1.52 h and 2.12 h respectively.The average internet time of working day and weekend in girls were 1.49 b and 2.05 h respectively.Significant difference between boys and girls is not existed in the internet time (t=0.541,0.907,P＞0.05).And the boy was inclined to game(x2 =47.669,P＜0.01).The effortful control of boys and girls were 54.09 and 55.76 respectively.The score of boys' and girls' PIU were 22.48 and 20.72 respectively.Boys' effortful control was significantly lower than that of girls (t=-2.879,P＜0.01).The score of boys' PIU was significantly higher than that of girls' (t=3.612,P＜0.01).Adolescents' PIU were significantly correlated with the time,entertainment and social activities (r=0.249,0.175,0.140,P＜0.01).The moderating effect of sex was significant in the relation between internet time and PIU.Significant mediation effect of effortful control existed in the PIU difference between boys and girls(Z=-2.54,P＜0.05).Conclusion Significant mediation effect of effortful control exists in gender and PIU.

Cyberbullying, Problematic Internet Use, and Psychopathologic Symptoms among Korean Youth

To evaluate the associations between cyberbullying behaviors and problematic internet use, and to compare psychopathologic symptoms in victims, perpetrators, and victims-perpetrators of cyberbullying to those in youths who were not involved in cyberbullying. A total of 4531 youths (11-14 years of age) were recruited from elementary and middle schools. Among 4531 youths, 9.7% were involved in cyberbullying; 3.3% were only victims; 3.4% were only perpetrators; and 3.0% were victims-perpetrators. Cyberbullying behaviors were associated with problematic internet use as well as various psychopathologic symptoms. Depressive symptoms were associated with cyberbullying victimization, and rule-breaking behaviors and aggressive behaviors have relevance to cyberbullying perpetration. Greater attention needs to be paid to identify youths earlier who are involved in cyberbullying and prevent serious adverse consequences in them.

The Relationship between Problematic Internet Use and Health Risk Behavior in Community High School Students

OBJECTIVES: Studies investigating problematic internet use have increased rapidly and have been focused on its causes, psychopathology, prevalence, characteristics and so on. However, there are few studies concerning the correlation between problematic internet use and youth health risk behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between problematic internet use and youth health risk behavior. METHODS: A community sample of 632 high school students in grades 10 and 11 was collected for the survey. The sample was assessed using the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System(YRBSS) and Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire of Internet Addiction(YDQ). The subjects were classified into two groups: normal and problematic internet use, and the problematic internet use group was further divided into at-risk use and addiction groups. RESULTS: There were 56 subjects(8.9%) in the internet addiction group and 56 subjects(8.9%) in the at-risk internet use group. The other 507 subjects were classified as normal. The subjects in the internet addiction group kissed more frequently and ate less fruit than those in the normal group. They also showed a relatively higher tendency to watch TV, ride in a car driven by a drunk driver and to carry a weapon than those in the normal group. There were no differences in health risk behaviors between the subjects in the internet addiction group and those in the at-risk internet use group, except for the possibility of riding in a car driven by a drunk driver. CONCLUSION: Unlike the normal group, there was very little difference in health risk behavior between the internet addiction group and the at-risk internet use group, which indicates that the addiction group and the at-risk internet use groups are homogenous. It is important to focus on the behavior of individuals in the at-risk group, and preventive measures should be taken in order to reduce the possibility of at-risk adolescents becoming addicted.